NeighborWorks proposes “pocket” neighborhood called Beargrass Village

GREAT FALLS – A Great Falls nonprofit that works to develop and advocate for affordable housing has applied to build the city’s first ever “pocket” neighborhood.

NeighborWorks would build the “pocket” neighborhood which is a cluster of residential dwellings found within a city that is built around a common courtyard as well as a common parking area.

The project, called Beargrass Village, is proposed to be built on the roughly one-acre vacant parcel of land that was once the site of Kranz Floral.

The property is zoned for seven single-family homes, but because NeighborWorks wants to build 10 single-family homes and two two-unit townhomes, the agency has to get approval from several levels of city government.

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This type of communal based development is popular in larger cities but has recently become a trend in smaller mid-size markets such as Great Falls.

The cost of the homes for this project will range from $175,000 to $225,000, which is a market point that is in short supply in Great Falls and appeals to a large demographic of people looking to buy new homes.

“Typically what you see with these projects appeal to in other areas of the country would be young professionals, first and second home buyers, and also empty nesters; people looking to downsize who don’t want to mow lots of grass. Who want a little simpler lifestyle and want to be close to services,” explained Tom Micuda, the Planning and Community Development Deputy Director for Great Falls.

The project will soon go before the city Design Review Board.

If approved, it will be voted on by the Great Falls City Commission later this year.